I'm wondering if there's a house swap thread?

[karenbokaren]

I can't find one. I'd love to do a house swap with someone.

Not really sure how it works but would people be put off by having a dog, two cats and ten chickens to look after?

@ThighThighOfthigh were thinking of going off for a few months next winter to live on our boat so we'd be happy for our house to be occupied in the winter. It's not the kind of house that will do so well with being shut up in the winter. (Gets VERY cold here.)

Having said that, it would be an intrepid soul that would stay here in the winter.

I couldn't house swap with a mumsnetter, I'd have to get rid of my toilet brush and they'd probably have some kind of parking war with my 86 year old neighbour or I'd come home to newly installed penguin bollards.

I don't have a toilet brush or any neighbours. I feel like I have the perfect anti social Mumsnetter house.

If anybody in London fancies 2 weeks in the Sydney sunshine over Christmas, I would be very interested in a house swap. We have a 3 bedroom house in a nice suburb and you’d also have the use of our car.

Oh wow, that sounds like a great swap, Megan!

I need some sort of Not Show House Swap thread. I've always really fancied a swap, but our place just wouldn't pass muster. I'd need to write a huge manual explaining all the quirks - not to turn the taps on more than halfway as the lack of water pressure means that the water won't be hot enough, the correct jiggle required to lock and unlock the front door, the fact that the oven is about 40 degrees hotter than it tells you it is - plus the general slightly tired decor and the angry cats to manage...

I signed up on Home Exchange a few years ago. I got plenty of offers but all for july/August and I couldn't get past my own cold feet. Also there was zero interaction with admin so it really is just an advertising website. I had the impression Love Home Swap might be a bit more hands on (guessed from all the mailing me they did).
Just in case you decide to go the official house swapping route OP.

Screw well exactly, how do you tell someone that they have no option but to sleep with your dogs and that they will stare at you on the loo.

Plus the kids have written "Mum, you suck" on the wall.

I'd be so nervous just doing it with a random stranger

Thing is, the internet means they don't feel like strangers by the time the swap comes round. I've done over 60, and unlike the old days with everything done by snail mail it's just so easy to update each other, send photos and whatever else (much better when they're in situ too, as any queries can be raised and answered straight away)

PPs are right that a home's better with someone in it, but trust me that new furniture and matching everything just isn't needed. What folk want is a comfortable base, and as long as it's clean and serviceable you're good to go

Sorry, forgot to mention the animals - I'd have no problem with that and have looked after similar, but everyone's different. The key thing is to make sure you're upfront about it, both in your listing and conversations later, so nobody gets an unwelcome surprise

I'm on Homelink and have swapped houses. We went to Paris and they came to Southampton.

It was all great and came home to a house as tidy as we left it. You'd have never known anyone had been in it.

We signed up again for another year but then DD got ill and it's been on hold until she's better and we can start swapping again.

I really recommend it.

For those people saying their houses aren’t good enough, honestly not everyone cares about the same things. All I really care about are a reasonable standard of cleanliness, heating and hot water. Def not bothered by “Mum you suck” graffiti and what not.

Oh gosh I'm so tempted. Wish I'd done it when I lived in London as a young and free Singleton as I doubt any one would fancy commutersville. How do so many of you live by a beach though?

That depends where "commutersville" is, MaggieFS; if you're still anywhere near London you'd probably be inundated with offers (it's those of us in the midlands or wherever who have to try harder, since so many seem to think it's London or nothing!!)

And while commutersville will still be handy for a big city, it'll be good for other areas too when visitors fancy something a bit more relaxing

We've done a few on Guardian Home Exchange, they've all been great! There is a bit of sorting out the house to do, but we're not very cluttered anyway. We only put away clothes from bedroom drawers (and clear half the wardrobe), personal papers and anything very fragile.

I really like doing it as you get great local info and recommendations, and get to stay somewhere spacious, comfortable and well equipped. And I like knowing that our house is being used and enjoyed.

I do think a house swap topic on MN would be useful, tho.

@MaggieFS we live one minute's walk from a beach. We do live on an island though, it's a big effort to get here from the UK!

I think we need a Mumsnet spreadsheet, if there is such a thing.

Oh I love a good spreadsheet.

Seriously though, if someone lives either in London, South Wales or the Cotswolds I'd love to do a house swap. We live on an island a minute's walk from the beach and have a (I think anyway) gorgeous, very private 5 acres of gardens and woods to enjoy.

Hey Karen I'm going to pm you!